Dialysis
The hospital-based Dialysis Unit at Pella Regional has 9 chairs and serves the needs of patients in Pella and the surrounding area.
Dialysis is needed for people with end stage renal disease, which occurs when a person has lost approximately 85 to 90 percent of their kidney function. When this happens, toxins and excess fluid build up in the body. Two of the main causes of kidney disease are untreated high blood pressure and diabetes.
During hemodialysis, the type of dialysis performed at Pella Regional, a dialyzer, often referred to as an artificial kidney, is used to remove toxins and fluid from the body. A hemodialysis treatment typically lasts 3 to 4 hours and is performed at Pella Regional on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5 am - 7 pm.
Comprehensive care is provided to dialysis patients by a highly skilled interdisciplinary team. This team consists of a nephrologist, dialysis nurses and technicians, social worker and dietitian. The dialysis team works together with the patient and their family to provide individualized treatment.
Our dialysis nurses and technicians provide the hands on care of the patient. They work with the machines that are removing toxins and excess fluid from the body. The nurses provide ongoing patient assessment during treatment and help coordinate medical care. The social worker’s role is to assist the patient and family members with adjustment to end stage renal disease and the lifestyle changes associated. The dietitian teaches patients and families how to provide the best nutritional options to promote optimal health for the patient living with kidney disease.
In addition to regular visits by their nephrologist, patients receive ongoing monitoring and medical care by internal medicine physicians at Pella Regional.
Pella Regional is actively participating in the 5-Diamond program, a patient safety program through Heartland Kidney Network.
For important information and resources about chronic kidney disease and dialysis go to Dialysis Facility Compare or CiteHealth.
